An American woman who moved from California to London has shared the three biggest culture shocks she experienced in the UK. Andrea Celeste, who now lives in the British capital, posted a TikTok video detailing the differences she noticed in greetings, apologies, and pub culture.
Celeste said the first shock was the greeting 'you alright?'. In California, 'how are you' is a formality not expecting an honest answer, but in the UK, people often respond truthfully. She also noted that Brits apologise for everything, even when not at fault, using 'sorry' to smooth social interactions rather than admit guilt.
The third shock was the centrality of pubs to British social life. Unlike California, where meeting spots vary, the pub is the default for after-work drinks, Sunday lunch, and catching up with friends. Celeste described the tradition of a weekly Sunday roast in a village pub as 'cosy' and unlike anything back home.
The video received numerous likes and comments, with one viewer saying 'How I miss England. I love your observations.' Celeste, who has over 200,000 followers, continues to embrace UK life, including its pub culture and local lingo.
